Coin controlled time operated signaling mechanism



Y 1943. c. H. MARTIN 2,318,615

COIN CONTROLLED TIME OPERATED SIGNALING MECHANISM Filed June 29, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 1/ 10 a 9 i A i 22 c. H. MARTIN 2,318,615 COIN CONTROLLED TIME OPERATED SIGNALING MECHANISM May. 11, 1943.

Filed June 29, 19:58 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 m n M w C. H. MARTIN May 11, 1943.

COIN CONTROLLED TIME OPERATED SIGNALING MECHANISM Filed June 29, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 M y .1943- c. H. MARTIN 2,313,615

COIN CONTROLLED TIME OPERATED SIGNALING MECHANISM Filed June 29, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 (Mr/P155 h. Mswr/m c. H. MARTIN 2,318,615

COIN CONTROLLED TIME OPERATED SIGNALING MECHANISM May 11, 1943.

Filed June 29, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 /NVE'NTOR:

CHARLES hf MART/N ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 11, 1943 COIN CONTROLLED TIME OPERATED SIGNALING MECHANISM Charles 11. Martin, Springfield, Mass.

Application June. 29, 1938, Serial No. 216,609

6 Claims.

The present invention appertains to coin controlled time operated signaling mechanism such as parking meters, or the like, as are widely employed today for controlling vehicle parking, and is a continuation in part of application Serial Number 165,305, filed September 23, 1937.

. One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the nature referred to above, of improved and simplified construction and great flexibility of operation. Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a coin controlled time operated signaling mechanism, adapted for operation by the use of coins of various denomination to set the time operated mechanism for indicating functions for variouspredetermined periods of time. A further object of the present invention is the provision of coin controlled instrumentalities for causing operation of the time operated signaling mechanism for a certain predetermined maximum period of time upon insertion of a single coin of a certain denomination or upon insertion of a plurality of coins of smaller denominations.

The present invention contemplates further the employment of a plurality of coin mechanisms adapted to operate a single actuating mechanism of the time operated device to efi'ect setting and operating of the latter, for the time indicating functions of various durations.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of certain instrumentalities for rendering a deposited coin visible until another coin has been deposited in the machine, and the coin mechanism is again operated for efiecting another,time indicatin function of the device while means are provided to effect release of the coin rendered visible incident to the operation for setting the time operated device.

Other and further objects of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description and drawings, in which:

Figure l is a front elevation of the parking meter structure of the present invention. J

Figure 2 is a side view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a front view of a coin controlled time operated mechanism illustrating also the signaling devices of the same.

Figure 4 illustrates a side view of the mechanism shown in Figure 3, certain parts being omitted. I

Figure 5 shows a rear view of the mechanism shown in Figure 3, certain parts being omitted.

Figures 6 to 8 inclusive illustrate in a somewhat diagrammatic manner, the actuating mechanism for the time operated instrumentalities showing several positions of said actuating means, certain parts being omitted for the purpose of clarity; Figure 8 shows also certain parts of the coin release mechanism.

Figure 9 is a partial sectional view of the coin discharge chute illustrating certain coin retaining and releasing instrumentalities.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of certain parts of the coin receiving instrumentalities.

Figure 11 is an illustration of a modified struc- I ture of actuating device for the time operated mechanism, certain parts bein omitted.

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 11 showing the actuating device for the time operated mecha nism in operative position.

Figure 13 illustrates a modified arrangement of coin chute unit.

Figure 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of a coin chute as employed in the coin chute mechanism shown in Figure 13. v Figure 15 shows a cross section of the coin chute of Figure 14 together with a coin inserted in said chute.

Figure 16 shows the arrangement of the coin slots on the outer casing such as shown in Figure 2 when the use of the coin chute unit as shown in Figure 13 is availed 01'.

Figure 17 is a view similar to that of Figure 5 illustrating a modified arrangement of starting structure for the time operated mechanism which is interconnected with certain counting means for counting the operation of each coin controlled unit.

Figure 18 is a cross section of the main drive gear, main spring, and spring clutch, the main spring being shown in part as being broken away around the winding shaft of the clock mechanism.

Figure 19 is a face view of the coin handling mechanism with the face broken away outside the actuating handle, showing the coin receiver in its coin receiving position.

Figure 20 is a transverse section taken on the line 20-20 of Figure 19.

Figure 21 is a somewhat diagrammatic view showing the coin receiver with a coin enga in the lock and about released after advancing half way in the cycle.

Figure 22 is a somewhat diagrammatic view showing the coin receiver and the coin almost fully advanced in the mechanism, and the coin receiver as fully released for completion of the deposit of the coin.

Figure 23 is atransverse section about on the line 23-23-015 Figure 19, showing more fully details of the lock arm and associated spring.

' Figure 24 is a detail section about on the line aeiaois out of engagement with the coin receiver so that said coin receiver may complete its revolution.

251-265 of Figure 19, showing the end of the lock The coin, after being inserted in the coin chute 55 or E8, is shown at to in dotted lines in Figures 19, 21 and 22, deposited in a slot 2a which is formed in the side walls and bottom of a U- shaped notch or passage to at the upper portion oi the device.

upper portion of the housing 8 is provided with a transparent dome structure 8, which is protected against damage by a guard member ti secured to the housing i, in any convenient manner. I

The housing i, at the sides thereof, as indicated at b and d, is provided with coin slots generally indicated as at i, one at each side of the housing. The front of the housing i is further provided with openings 8 and 9, through which handle members id and ii extend, and windows 02 and it) also on the front face of the housing l are provided for purposes to be related further on.

The housing i may be formed of a hood-like structure, which may be mounted on a base member M, which is in turn attached to the supporting member 2 by means of screws iii, or the like. It desirable, however, the housing may be of a composite structure, as will be obvious to those skilled in the art. The supporting member 2, which maybe preferably of a hollow or tube=liire construction, may be utilized for the reception of a coin compartment or box removably mounted within said supporting structure for the reception of coins collected from the operation of the machine of the present invention.

Referring now to the mechanism of the device of the present invention, which is contained within the housing i, reference is made first to Figures 3 and 4, which illustrate the complete interior structure of the device which comprises a. supporting plate it, comprising a horizontal portion ll which is secured to the base it, in any convenient manner.

Spaced with regard to the supporting plate it and positioned in front of the same and connected thereto by one or more tie bolts 98?, is another supporting structure generally indicated at l8, upon which a plurality of coin handling mechanisms or units it and are mounted by means of screws it, or the like. These coin han-' -dling mechanisms may be of any conventional construction adaptable for the purposes of the present invention, such as for instance. that disclosed in Figures 19 to 24 inclusive. These coin handling mechanisms i9 and 20 are generally of such construction that upon insertion of a coin into their slots 22 or 23 respectively, they are unlocked, and the handle members it or it respectively may be operated so as to cause rota: tion of shafts 245 and 25 with which these coin handling mechanisms are provided.

The coin handling mechanism, above referred to and hereinafter described, shows in the figures a catch holding the coin receiver against full rotation toward the coin'discharge slot, excepting when a coin of proper denomination is inserted, which is arranged to impinge the side of the coin, so that the thickness of the coin will provide the proper movementof the lock or catch with reference to the coin receiver, or in other words, the face of the coin pressing against the catch or parts connected therewith will deflect the catch The back plate to is formed so as to enclose the outer edges and form a complete closure when the face plate id is fastened thereto by screws 2i which also position the mechanism. on the plate it, by means of the lugs or bosses in formed on the back plate. Betw en the back plate 6a and the front plate to a narrow space is left and this spaceis in the same plane as the slot 2a. Located in this space is a coin receiver tic in the form of a circular plate or disc, and which is provided with a U-shaped notch or re cess 9a adapted to registerwith the slot or recess do for the insertion of the coin to. The notch is of sufficient depth to permit the coin to descend until its upper portion is clear of the inner periphery of" the portion ills of the back plate to, said portion constituting the outer edge of the coin passage, when the coin is being carried by the coin receiver from. the receiving slot 2a to the discharge slot lid, said slot being placed adjacent the coin display holding mechanism shown in Figure 9 oi the coin operated mechanism of my invention.

The disc or plate to is secured against relative rotation to the handle portion i i in a suitable manner, said handle havinr the shaft said shaft beingan extension of the handle and passing through the coin handling device. The handie it is journaled in the face plate to and the shaft 25 connected therewith is journaled in an extension lid of the back plate to asshown in Figure 20,

The handle it is secured to the disc to in such a way that the rotation of the handle M will effect rotation of the disc Eia is one direction, while its return movement or rotation in. the opposite direction is produced by a suitable spring 53d bearing against 9. lug Ma, on the inner face of the disc 80, said lug at the same time constituting a stop for limiting the return rotation of the said disc 8a and holding the U-shaped recess to in register with the recess 3a when the knob or handle ii" is released, said lug its being arranged to strike against the edge of a web portion on the rear plate of the mechanism as at its shown in Figure 19. I

. The spring Ida, as shown, is coiled about the shaft 25 in a recess 92a formed in the'back plate and one end of the spring is inserted in a suitable notch or opening Hg in the recess i211. The stop or lug No is so situated that it will constitute a limiting means in cooperation with another web on the back'plate, for the rotation of thedisc Ba, to prevent the rotation of the disc beyond the coin discharge position.

The inner face 0! the face plate to is provided with a recess in which is located a catch or look efiect this locking action of the catch on the disc,

the disc is provided with two notches 2! a and Zla' into one of which the catch or lock i911 is propelled by a spring 42a, said catch or lock l9a having one endpivoted to the face plate to at 32a and at the other end having an inwardly projecting lug 33a, see Figure 24, for engaging hereinafter'to be described, through the shafts 24 and 25, to each of which a coin handling I mechanism as above described has been applied.

These shafts 24 and 25 extend from their respective coin handling units through plates l3- and I8, and carry at positions intermediate said plates, actuating members 26 and 21, while their free ends which, as already explained above, ex-

- tend through the plate I6, are cooperatively associated with timing device starting elements 23 and 29.

More specifically, shaft 25 carries at its free end a flexible rubber member 28a supported by lever 24a rigidly secured to shaft 25, in any convenient manner. Shaft 24 carries a lever arm 25a secured to the same, and operatively associated with the flexible rubber element 28b by means of an actuating mechanism comprising the lever arms 25b and 250 pivotally connected with respect to each other and lever arm 25a. The lever 25c is pivotally mounted upon plate i5, as shown at 25d.

Mounted upon the plate I at the rear of the same with its spring winding shaft 30 extending through plate i6, and forward of thesame, is a clock mechanism generally indicated at 3i. This clock mechanism may be of any conventional structure preferably such as employed in alarm clocks, or the like.

The details of the clock mechanism 3| having the main drive gear 32 are not shown in its entirety as the same are obvious to those skilled in the art. However, it shall here be mentioned that interposed between the spring shaft 30 and the main drive 'gear 32 of the clock mechanism is a spring clutch 33 of any suitable construction, which replaces the usual pawl and ratchet clutchcover for the spring 300! and holds the collar or tub 300 against the gear, and through this collar, aids in maintaining the alignment of the ear.

An ear or lug h on the shaft 30 engages the I inner end of the main coil spring 34, the outer end of the coil spring beingsuitably fastened to the tie bolt 3ia of the clock mechanism frame.

When the main spring 34 is wound by the tuming of the shaft 30 engaged with one end of the spring through the ear or lug 3071, the barrel 3011,

being integral with the shaft 30, also turns.'

Since the gear 32 is free on the barrel, it does not turn being restrained by other gears in the clock mechanism and lacking driving connection in the winding direction to the barrel. Likewise, the spring 30d also remains stationary with respect to the barrel part of shaft 30 when the main spring 34 is wound. When the main spring 34 has been sufliciently wound for the purposes of actuating the clock mechanism for a predetermined period as far as permitted by the rotation of the actuating member 31, said member 31 being rotatively mounted on the shaft 36, the tension of the main spring 34 will be transferred on to the gear 32 by the wrapping of the clutch spring 30d around the barrel 30, the clutch spring transmitting the driving force to the gear 32 through the spring end 309 acting in the hole 32 in the direction in which the main spring unwinds. The clock mechanism 3i is thus driven through the gear 32 and its associated coacting gears.

Owing to the friction connection set up by the wrapping of the clutch spring 30d on the barrel 30a in one direction, it follows thatthe slightest winding movement will be maintained, in tension on the main spring 34, and thus transmitted through the main drive gear 32 to the other gears in the clock mechanism 3|.

The numeral 34 indicates the spring of the clock mechanism, which is wound for actuation by rotation of the shaft 30, while 35 indicates the I balance wheel of the clock mechanism. From ing mechanism of the conventional clock mechanisms of this nature, for the primary purpose of obtaining a more immediate clutching action between parts 30 and 32 without appreciable back lash which would cause considerable time indicating variations of the mechanism.

The spring clutch, generally designated at 33, shown in Figure 18, in detail, comprises means whereby the unwinding of the main spring 34 is prevented and the main spring 34 held at any given tension imparted by the winding of the shaft 30, without'recourse to the pawl and ratchet type ofconstruction through means hereinafter to be described.

The shaft 30 has an enlarged portion or barrel 30' which acts as a bearing for the gear 32, said gear being rotatable on the bearing or barrel. The gear 32 is held in alignment for coaction with the other parts of the clock mechanism by the shoulder 30b on the barrel 30. The spring 30d of the spring clutch mechanism 33 is wound around the barrel 30a, one end being, free on the barrel and the other end 30g positioned in an opening or hole 32' of the gear 32. The covering 300 is a substantially short piece of tube sur- "rounding the spring 30d and is held adjacent the gear 32 by the washer 30c which is pressed on the end of the barrel 30a and provides an outer Figure 5 it will be noted that the flexible rubber elements 29b and 28a arepositioned in such a manner with regard to the same that upon rotation of the shaft 24 or 25 respectively, an engagement of these rubber members with the balance wheel 35 is effected to cause starting of the balance wheel 35.

More specifically, the rubber elements engage the wheel 35 in a sort of wiping action, thereby imparting movement tothe balance wheel to start the clock mechanism, after the same has been conditioned for operation. The forward end of the shaft 30 is provided with a sleeve member 35 fixed thereto, which carries a spring shaft actuating member 31, forming an integral part with the said sleeve. This spring shaft actuating member or clock mechanism setting member 31 comprises a plurality of tooth portions 33 cooperating with a pawl 39 forming a part of cam face of the spring shaft actuating member 31, I

and retained in this position by means of a spacing member 42 retained on shaft 30 and sleeve 36 by means of cotter pin 43.

The spring shaft actuating or clockwork setting member 31 is further provided with a somewhat ofi'set portion 54, bent in such a manner as to engage lever arm 45 during the movement of the clock mechanism setting member 3'! from the position of the same as shown in Figure 8, to the position as shown in Figure 6, so that the lever arm ti is forced upwardly against an L-shaped signal actuating arm 35, which engages the signal member 66 to thereby raise the same from a position as shown in Figure 7 to a position shown in Figure 6.

The signalmember Alt, which is of a ball-like configuration, preferably of red color, is slidably mounted for upward and downward movement on a signal shaft fill which comprises telescoping parts did and dill). When the signal is raised to the position as shown in Figure 6, the members tile and ill) telescope outwardly, as shown in this figure, while when the signal member so is permitted to be lowered on account of its gravitatlonal action, the parts 671a and t ll) telescope together as shown in Figure 7. This signal member when in a position as shown in Figure 6,

enters the dome structure 3 of the parking meter,

as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and is visible to an it, and its short arm Q51) extends, as will be seen from Figure 6, into the path of the lever arm M, which is provided with a bent portion 38 of a configuration and extent so as to cause cooperation of the same with the signal arm portion 65b. The other end of the signal arm do is formed into loop-like shape, asshown at 439, in Figure 4, so as to surround signal post til, and to engage the lower portion of the signal member 86.

With the parts so far described, it will be seen that when a coin is deposited into the coin handling unit it, and the handle member it on shaft 25 is rotated in a clockwise direction, actuating member 25 is swung into engagement with the abutment it on the spring shaft actuating member 3?, and this latter member is caused to rotate from the position shown in Figure 6 (which is the normal position at the end of each timing cycle, before setting for another timing cycle),

'to the position as shown in Figure 7, thereby rotating shaft 30 to cause winding of the spring 35 to a certain predetermined extent to obtain the operation of the device for a certain length of time.

During such anti-clockwise movement of the member 3? part M of the same disengages from lever arm fill, which drops downward and rests against abutment b as shown in Figure 7,

thereby disengaging from the signal lever t5 permitting downward movement of the signal 6 to a position as shown in Figure '7.

, At this time, the red signal d3 moves downw-ardly and out of the transparent dome 3, and becomes invisible indicating that a coin has been deposited in the mechanism, and the same has been properly conditioned for operation.

During the movement of the member N from its position as shown in Figure 6, to the position as shown in Figure 7, the rotation of shaft 25 causes also movement {,of the flexible rubber element 23a into engagement with the balance wheel 35, and when the handle 5 i is now released, shaft 25 moves automatically back by a, force of the spring of the coin handling unit 28, which is not specifically shown. The rubber element 28a ives a. quick wiping action to the balance wheel 5 35 before the member 28!: returns to it original position, as shown in Figure 5, thereby starting the clock mechanism operating.

The coin handling unit 29 is designed to receive coins of a certain denomination, as for instance, five cent pieces, while the coin handling unit it may be preferably designed for handling coins of sm'aller denomination such as pennies. When a five cent coin is inserted into the unit 29 and handle H is operated in a manner asset forth 5 in the above, the cam will cooperate with the abutment member 35 of the spring shaft actuating member 3? in such a manner as to cause rotation of shaft 3S and a corresponding winding of spring 3% to condition the clock mecha- 29 nism for operation, for instance for half an. hour; while, when a penny piece is inserted into coin unit i9 and the same is operated in alike manner as unit 28 by turning the handle id a rotation of shaft 30 and a winding action of spring 85 is accomplished for a respective shorter period of time, as for instance, ten minutes, or the like, to condition the clock mechanism for operation for such shorter interval of time. In this way, a greater flexibility of the parking meter is accomplished because coins of various denominations may be inserted, which first permit a selection of length of time required for parking, and which furthermore, has the advantage that an operator of the device may set the same into action with either one of the two denominations of coins referred to above.

Describing now more specifically the operation of the coinhandling unit 59 and associated parts, it will be apparent from the drawings that after ing member 2'8 mounted on shaft 24 will be TO", titted. Thisactuating member 27 carries a pawl 39 usually held in the position as shown in Figure 6 by means of a spring 5i, which maintains the pawl 39 in contact with a stop 52 mounted on member 21. v

When member 2? and pawl 39 are rotated as referred to above; pawl 39 will engage the surface 33a of the actuating member 3?, and the same will be moved into a position as shown in Figure 8, at which time, the pawl 39 disengages the surface 38a upon further rotation of the shaft 25 in a. clockwise direction.

When shaft 26 is released and returned by the force of the spring of the unit 58, pawl 39 is free to swing backward, and out of the way of any of the teeth 38 which may be in its path during the return stroke. With the member 31 in a position as shown in Figure 8, the clock mechanism is conditioned for the operation for a period of ten minutes or any like period for which the device is to be set, and the indicator is will be in its lower position as shown in Figure 8, in view 5 of the fact that the lever arm ti has been disengaged from the lever 55.

If an additional 'ten minute parking time is required, an additional coin of the same denomin-ation may be inserted into unit l9 and theshaft 24 and pawl 39 actuated again. In this case, the pawl 39 will engage surface 38b of the next tooth of ,the member 377, and the latter will now be operated to assume a position somewhat intermediate between the positions of Figure 8 and figure 7.

, coins of the same denomination additional pesurfaces respectively, as required for the desired operation of the device.

In other words, while the operation of the unit 29 and actuating member eifects the setting of the time control device for a maximum length of time, an insertion of one or more coins of the same denomination into coin handling unit I9 permits setting of the time operated instrumentalities for any portion of such maximum period for which the apparatus is capable of functioning.

After the time operated device has been set for operation by winding of the spring 34, the clock mechanism is set into operation by means of the starting action of the rubber element 28a, or the rubber element 29b. The latter is operated incident to the operation of the shaft 24, as will be clearly seen from Figure 5. In view of the fact that the motion of the shaft 24 is transferred to the lever mechanism 25b and 250 to swing the rubber element 29b into contact with the balance wheel 35 and to impart a quick wiping action upon the balance wheel 35 upon the return of the shaft 24, the clock mechanism generally indicated at 3| will be set into operation and will run for the respective time period for which it has been set by the operation of the member 31.

Assuming that the coin handling unit 29 has been operated and the clock mechanism has been conditioned for the maximum period of operation of the time controlled device, the member 31 will be in the position as shown in Figure 7, and during the operation of the'clock mechanism 3|, which is accompanied by unwinding of the spring 34 and a rotation of the shaft 39 in a clockwise direction, the member 31 will slowly move backward from its position of Figure 7 to its original position as shown in Figure 6.

Shortly before the expiration of the period for which the time controlled mechanism is set in this instance, the portion 44 of the member 31 will engage the lever arm H and raise the same into engagement with portion 45b of the crank bell lever 45 to cause upward movement of the signal member 45 into the dome structure 3 to signal the expiration of the time for which the device has been set. v

If the member'31 has not been actuated for the .maximum time of operation, as for instance,

shown in Figure 8, it will, of course, return in a much shorter period to its original position during the operation of the clock mechanism and the signal member 45 will then also be raised.

The coin handling units I 9 and 29 are provided with coin discharge chutes 55 and 55 provided with vision openings or glass windows 51 and 58. The vision openings or windows 51-58 are arranged in alignment with the openings or windows I2 and I3 in the front of the casing I.- I

The coin discharge chutes 55 and 55, which are of like construction and the detail of one of which is shown in Figure 9, are provided with a retaining lever 59 pivotally mounted at 59 and provided with a coil spring II to retain the same in a position as shown in Figure 9. A control rod 52 leads from the vicinity of the retaining lever 59 to a slide block 59 or 54 respectively.

The slide block 53 is associated with the coin chute 55, while the slide block 54 is associated with the coin chute 55. Mounted on slide blocks 53 and 54, which are of practically identical construction, is a pawlmember 55 held in the position as shown in Figure 10 by means of a coal spring 55 in such a manner that the pawl 55 abuts against a stop 51. The pawl 55 is adapted to cooperate with pawl 39, se Figure 8, so that when the later is operated in a manner as previously described, the slide block 53 and rod 52 will be shifted upwardly to thereby cause movement of the coin retaining lever 59 away from the coin chute structure to thereby release a coin 59a held within the coin discharge chute in front of the window in a visible position. The coin 59a will then drop into a coin container which may be positioned as previously described within the supporting structure 2.

In a like manner, a coin within the coin chute 55 of the coin handlin unit 29 may be released upon rotation of the actuating member 25 which is provided with an abutment 25a for engaging the pawl 55a to raise the same, and its corresponding slide block 54 and rod 52.

The last col-n deposited in either the unit I9 or 29 remains visible in front of the windows I2 or I3 respectively, until the next coin is inserted in the respective unit, at which time the previously inserted coin is released from the coil discharge chute in a manner which has been already specifically described hereinbefore.

Interposed between the coin openings 22 and 23 of the coin units I9 and 29, and the coin slots '1 at the places 5 and 5 of the casing I are coin chutes 59 and GI which each consist of the plurality of guide members 52' and 63 held in proper spaced position with regard to each other by means of spacing members 54'. When the coin is inserted into the coin slot 1, it falls down by gravity to the coin chute 59' or 5| into the respective coin handling units.

Figures 11 and 12 disclose a modified structure of actuating mechanism for the time operated device.' While the operation of this modified structure is very similar to that as disclosed in Figures 6 to 8 inclusive, it distinguishes from the same,

however, in that a spring shaft actuating member I99 is rigidly secured to the spring shaft 39a. This actuating member is provided with a flange portion I9I adapted to be engaged by a sector-like member I92 freely rotatable on shaft 3911. This sector-like member I92 is provided with an abutment pin I93 adapted to cooperate with the arm 4Ia, which is of the same construction as shown in Figure 6. The arm 4Ia is freely rotatably mounted upon the shaft 39a. Interposed between the abutment pin I93 and the flange I9I of the parts I92 and I99 respectively is a coil spring 104 maintaining the parts I99 and I92 in respect to themselves normally as in a position shown in Figure 11.

The sector-like member I 92 is further provided with the abutment pins I95 and I95 positioned in such a way that the same may be engaged by the cam I91 in a manner as will be described later on. Additionally, the sector-like member I92 is provided with a plurality of teeth I98 cooperating with an actuating pin I99 of the actuating member H9. The cams I91 and II9are mounted on shafts 25c and 24a respectively, in the same manner as cams 2G and 2? are arranged on shafts 25 and 25 in Figure 6;

Upon operation of the-shaft 25a in the same manner as shaft 25, cam i051 will be brought into engagement with pin M on the sector we and thereby force said sector-like member in the direction of the arrow indicated in Figure 11.

In view of the fact that the member id? is in v inbefore.

The abutment pin m3 is at such time moved out of engagement with the lever 4 la, moving the latter thereby out of contact with the signal lever to thereby eilect lowering of the signal member 36 previously referred to. v v

The actuating member it? may, after operation of the member 592 as above described, be returned to its original position as shown in Figure it by any convenient means such as aspring contained in the coin controlled mechanism. If, during its backward stroke, actuating member Sb? should contact the abutment pin 8%, or its, the sector-like member 592 is free to move backward in an opposite direction as that shown by the arrow in Figure ll. In this way, a free return of the cam iii? is assured,

As soon as pin Hit and actuating member iul, upon the return movement of the latter, are

disengaged, the sectorlike member Hi2 moves back into engagement with flange ifll due to the action of spring ltd. Upon a second operation of cam it?! immediately preceding the first operation, pin use, which is now opposite said actuating member, will be engaged and the sector N32 and spring shaft actuating member idb will be moved an additional distance in the direction of the arrow in Figure 11.

It will, therefore, be seen that for instance two five cent pieces may beinserted, one after the other in the coin controlled mechanism 23 which controls the operation of the shaft a so that the time operated mechanism may be set for twice the allotted time as that possible in the mechanism as shown in Figure 6.

The operation of the actuating member ill is substantially the same as that of member 2? shown in Figure 6, with this difference, however, that no pawl arrangement like that shown at 39 is necessary, because upon the return of the cam lit the sector member Hi2 will move in the opposite direction from that as shown by an arrow in Figure ll to thereby permit a free return 0i 2%; actuating member Hi3 and its actuating pin Figure 13 illustrates a modifledcoin chute ar rangement, wherein a plurality of coin chutes iii and i it mounted upon the supporting plate iii? are attached to the supporting plate ltd of the coin controlled mechanism in such a man-: ner that coins discharged from said chute, will enter the coin receiving slots 23a or 22a of the coil controlled units 29a and 6311 respectively.

These coin chutes iii and lifi'are arranged in inclined position in a manner as shown in Figure 13, with their open ends lit and il5, in alignment with coin slots M5 and ill, preferably arranged on the side of the housing or casing ,l in a similar manner as coin slot '3 in Figure 2; The

asi e it coin chutes i H and H2 are of a U-shaped channel-like formation, as shown in Figure 15. Coin chute H2 is provided at its lower end with a slot lid to permit discharge of coins inserted into chute lid to the coin receiving opening 220. of the unit lea. In a like manner, the lower end of the coin chute ill is provided with a slot H9 for discharge of coins inserted into the chute iii in the coin receiving opening 23a of the unit 20a.

The coin chute iii, however, is further 'pro vided with a slot iEd, which is very exactly machined, and not of sumcient width to permit the passage therethrough of a five cent piece Hill, as illustrated in Figure 15. However, if by mistake, a one cent piece is inserted into the coin slot lid and chute lit, the same will fall through slot lit? and into the lower coin chute 382, which is positioned directly underneath and from where it will be delivered to the coin receiving slot 22a of the unit lilo even though the coin has been placed into the wrong coin slot. Insertion of a five cent piece coin in the coin slot Ml is impossible because this slot is not large enough to receive a coin of such denomination. In this way, the coin chute mechanism is rendered absolutely fool-proof and a blocking of the coin, receiving openings 22a and 23a with coins of the wrong denomination is impossible.

Figure 17, which shows a similar arrangement as that disclosed in Figure 5, illustrates further the provision of a plurality of counters 629a and 42!. The counter lida is connected with the shaft 25a by means of a crank arm and linkage arrangement B22, while the counter I2! is cooperatively interconnected with the shaft 240) by means of a similar linkage and crank arm arrangement I23. It should be noted, however,

that at points ti t and W5, there is considerable play between the respective parts of the linkage arrangement of both counters so that a slight rotation of shafts 26a and 25a does not effect an operation of the counter.

' In other words, the coin controlling devices have to be operated so as'to cause turning of their respective shafts to the full extent to effect operation of the counters. In this way, indicating means are provided according to which the amount of money received by the device maybe calculated.

The shaft 25a isprovided with a rubber member its, which is adapted to engage the wheel 35a to cause initiation of operation of the time controlling device; in a. like manner as previously described in regard to Figure 5. The shaft 23a is provided with a crank arm i2? and an actuating member H23 pivotally secured to the member i2? at 829, and held in proper position by a wire rod 6% pivotally secured to the plate Eda in any convenient manner such as at ldl.

The end of the actuating member I28 is provided with a flexible rubber member l32 adapted to engage the wheel 35a upon rotation of the shaft Zea and in this manner to initiate the operation of the time controlled mechanism, after the same has been set for operation.

Having thus described my inventiom what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. Anapparatus of the character described, comprising, in combination, a time controlled spring actuated mechanism having a spring winding member, a plurality of coin controlled units, actuating means for said spring winding member common to and operable by said coin controlled units for conditioning the time controlled strumentalities for operatively interconnecting said signal with the actuating means and time controlled mechanism for controlling shifting of the signal incident to the operation of the time controlled mechanism.

2. In apparatus of the character described, comprising, in combination, a time controlled spring actuated mechanism, having a spring winding member, a plurality of coin controlled units, actuating means for said spring windin member common to and selectively operable by either of said coin controlled units for conditioning the time controlled mechanism for a selected period of operation, means operable by said coin controlled units for starting the time controlled mechanism, a signal 'shiftable between signaling and non-signaling positions, and instrumentalities for operatively interconnecting said signal with the actuating meansand time controlled mechanism for controlling shifting of the signal incident to the operation of the time controlled mechanism.

3. An apparatus of the character described, comprising, in combination, a time controlled spring actuated mechanism having a spring winding member, a plurality of coin controlled units,

actuating means for said spring winding member common to and operable by said coin controlled units for conditioning theltime controlled mechanism for operation, means operable by said coin controlled units for starting the time controlled mechanism, a signal shiftable between signaling and nonsign'aling positions, instrumentalities for operatively interconnecting said signal with the actuating means and time controlled mechanism for controlling shifting of the signal incident to the operation of the time controlled mechanism,

' and telescoping supporting means for said shiftable signal for facilitating shifting of said signal to non-signaling position.

4. A device of the character described, comprising, in combination, a time operated mechanism, a plurality of coin controlled units, setting instrumentalities for the time operated mechanism and common to said coin controlled units, operating means for said setting instrumentalities associated with said coin controlled units for conditioning the time operated mechanism for operation incident to the operation of the coin controlled units, starting devices operable by the latter for initiating operation of the time controlled unit, a signal shiftable to signaling and non-signaling position, and means engageable with the setting instrumentalities for efiectin shifting of the signal incident to the operation of the time operated mechanism.

5. In a parking meter, in combination, a time controlled mechanism, setting instrumentalities for said mechanism for conditioning the latter to operate diilerent predetermined periods of time, said setting instrumentalitie including a shiftable member operatively connected to the time controlled mechanism and shiftable diiferent distances for setting the time mechanism into action to operate for difierent periods of time, a

coin controlled unit, and a device operable by said coin controlled unit for actuating the shiftable member variably to eflect its cooperation with-the time controlled mechanism, said coin controlled unit being operable incident to release thereof by separate deposited coins to shift the shiftable member through said device diflferent CHARLES H. MARTIN. 

